Tourist Traps in the Ancient World

The expansion of trade in classical antiquity led to an explosion in the number of people travelling around the Mediterranean. While many of these people were conducting business, we also see people travelling for pleasure or curiosity. Just like today, there were people trying to separate the tourists from their money. This talk explores some of the ancient world's tourist traps and how they often traded on myth and history to lure visitors.

Dr Christopher Gribbin is a public historian specialising in ancient Greece and Rome. He has a particular interest in understanding how people make sense of the world, whether through religion, philosophy, myth, art or architecture. He is an Adjunct Lecturer at La Trobe University, coordinates the Hellenic Museum’s annual summer school and leads tours overseas with Australians Studying Abroad.

Part of La Trobe Classics in the City 2025 - Classical Cons: The Art of the Scam in Ancient Greece and Rome